All new UK cars could have breathalysers and black box-style recorders under Labour plans to align with the EU
New cars sold in Britain could follow European laws and be fitted with black box-style recorders and new equipment that enables breathalyser installations, amid claims the move is a political ploy by Labour to reset its post-Brexit relationship with the EU.
Sir Keir Starmer’s Government argues that differences in car manufacturing between Britain and Europe will lead to higher costs being passed on to the customer.
But critics argue such a move could show a desire by Labour to closely align Britain to rules and regulations implemented by Brussels.
Labour previously agreed the UK would align with EU plant and animal health rules as part of concessions to form a closer relationship with the bloc.
Now Lord Hendy, Minister of State for the Department for Transport, stated earlier this week in parliament that the government ‘takes an explicit presumption in favour of alignment’ in regards to how cars are manufactured.
He added that the Government would be ‘considering options for requiring the fitment of the safety technologies mandated by the EU’s general safety regulation’ and would discuss these with individual manufacturers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and the National Franchise Dealers Association.
New British cars could follow European laws and be fitted with black box-style recorders and equipment to facilitate the installation of breathalysers, amid claims Labour wants to reset its post-Brexit relationship with the EU
Lord Hendy, Minister of State for the Department for Transport, stated earlier this week in parliament that the government ‘takes an explicit presumption in favour of alignment’ in regards to how cars are manufactured
Sir Keir Starmer’s government argues that differences in car manufacturing between Britain and Europe will lead to higher costs being passed on to the customer – but critics say it is a ploy
The Daily Mail understands the Department for Transport is exploring options for updates to require fitment of the safety technologies set out in the EU’s General Safety Regulations – but that does not include installing equipment enabling breathalysers at the present time.
When Britain was a member of the EU, new British and European cars followed the same legislation.
But following Brexit, Brussels introduced the General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which called for different devices and technology to be pre-installed.
These include breathalysers, which prevent a car’s engine starting if the driver fails an alcohol test.
Under the regulation, all new models must have equipment in place to facilitate a breathalyser installation. These are likely to only be fitted to vehicles used by motorists with a record of driving driving.
Event Data Recorders (EDRs), which can provide information on how fast a car was travelling before an accident, and Driver Drowsiness Warning (DDAW), which can alert a driver if they are becoming sleepy, are also required to be fitted into new vehicles.
Northern Ireland follows GSR2 rules as part of the Brexit deal to prevent a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
But differences between new cars made under EU and UK rules could mean customers in Northern Ireland would face higher costs for purchasing a new vehicle from the mainland.
Labour is understood to back an ‘alignment’ of the EU and UK safety laws to stop Northern Irish consumers being treated unfavourably.
Car manufacturers are also said to see the advantage of aligning the rules.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told The Telegraph: ‘With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory alignment supports efficient production, keeping costs down for consumers while retaining the widest possible model choice.’
‘Alcolocks’ can be fitted to the car and work by taking a breath sample from the driver to check alcohol levels
But supporters of Brexit argue that UK car manufacturers do not need to be led by Brussels and the move is simply an attempt by Labour to woo the EU.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said: ‘This is a game being played out where they keep incrementally moving back towards the European Union.’
Mark Francois, chairman of the Conservative European Research Group, added: ‘This is still rule-taking from the EU, however you try and dress it up.’
Away from the theatre of politics, in-built breathalysers – or ‘alcolocks’ as they are also known – are actually backed by the majority of motorists as a solution to stopping drink drivers from reoffending.
A recent poll by the RAC found 53 per cent of drivers want courts to have the power to order anyone convicted of drink-driving to have alcolock breathalysers installed in their cars.
Support for the interventionist approach comes as a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA found 27,000 individuals were convicted of multiple drink-driving offences in the 11 years leading up to July 2024.
On the back of this evidence, the RAC is pushing for the Government to take up this method – already in use in other countries including Australia, Belgium and parts of the US – in a bid to reduce drink-driving.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: ‘Too many lives are lost and ruined by drink-driving.
‘It’s also very apparent that many of the drink-drivers caught by the police are reoffenders which implies something different needs to be done to change this dangerous behaviour.’
Alcolocks – what are they? Could they become standard?
Not everyone will have heard of alcolocks or alcohol-interlocks as they’re properly known.
Alcolock is actually a brand name – founded in the 70s – but has become the common name for breathalysers fitted to the car’s ignition system.
Once fitted a driver has to provide an alcohol-free breath sample in order to start the engine – usually blowing for five seconds.
If there’s little to no alcohol the engine will start. If it exceeds a set level it won’t start.
There are various options as to how they’re mandated and who pays for them: For instance, courts could mandate them for reoffenders only, or anyone convicted of drink-driving.
In other countries the fitting is generally paid for by the offender, although in cases of financial hardship the state can step in to cover the cost.
However, it’s worth noting that the EU introduced new rules in July 2024 requiring all new cars sold in the EU to be ‘prepared’ to have an alcolock fitted.
